Tucked away in the heart of Willemstad, Curaçao, lies a sanctuary unlike any other on the island. Tea Life Sanctuary, owned and lovingly curated by Natasha Sotilleo-Vink, is more than a tea emporium. It is a place where you can find premium loose-leaf teas from premium tea growing regions of the world and a space of peace, and soulful connection, a place where every tea tells a story.

When you step inside the tea boutique, the first impression is striking: everything is beautifully arranged, serene, and filled with creative details. Natasha herself radiates warmth and calm. Behind her journey to becoming a Tea Sommelier and entrepreneur lies a deeply personal story that begins with childhood memories of comfort, resilience, and discovery.

A Childhood Shaped by Tea and Love

Natasha’s love for tea was planted early. At just four and a half years old, she and her younger brother moved in with their grandmother during her parents’ separation. What began as a temporary arrangement turned into a defining chapter of her life.

Her grandmother, a nurturing and deeply spiritual woman, created a structured home filled with order, warmth, and tradition. Every afternoon at three o’clock sharp, she would set her little coffee table with fresh bread and tea. Sometimes it was simple grocery-store tea, other times it was herbal infusions made from plants in her garden. Always, it was paired with a slice of her homemade coconut sweet bread, simple white bread or her homemade guava jam on crackers.

“In that quiet, sitting with my grandmother, I felt a washing over my little soul,” Natasha recalls. “It wasn’t just the tea—it was the way it made me feel, comforted, safe, and present. That feeling has never left me.”

Natasha in her store in Willemstad

From Trinidad to the World

Born and raised in Trinidad & Tobago, Natasha later lived in Tobago, where she worked in the spa industry. She dreamed of opening her own spa, and while in the planning process of doing so fate had other plans. In a moment she describes with laughter as “a mix of audacity and dreaming,” Natasha often told her friends that before opening her spa, she wished someone would invite her to another island to work for a short period at a spa so she could gain new experiences with a ticket, free accommodation, and meals to gain new experience.

To her surprise, that exact opportunity materialized. Through a friend, she was invited to the British Virgin Islands to temporarily fill in at a spa. “It was exactly as I had described,” she says, still marveling at the serendipity. That journey led her to new experiences abroad and ultimately after several years to Curaçao, where Tea Life Sanctuary took root.

It was also during this time in Tortola that Natasha met her future husband, Johnny. His career eventually took them to Luxembourg, where she opened her own skincare practice and introduced tea as part of the experience. Yet, after several years, her husband encouraged a return to the Caribbean—and together they chose Curaçao as their new home.

The Art of Gong Fu Cha

Natasha’s tea practice deepened when she discovered Gong Fu Cha, the traditional Chinese art of tea. Introduced by a Chinese friend, she became fascinated with this method that emphasizes mindfulness, presence, and respect for the tea itself.

“Gong Fu Cha forces you to create time and space for tea. It’s intimate, it’s selfcare. By the third steep, you’re calm and start noticing the layered notes of the tea. You really get to know the tea,” she explains. 

For Natasha, tea became more than a beverage; it became a meditative practice. “When you drink tea this way, the chatter in your head shuts off. You are fully present. It’s like sculpting, writing, or any continuous craft—your whole being flows into it.”

Even when traveling, Natasha improvises tea sessions with whatever is available. A plant tray, a milk jug, a kettle—anything can be transformed into a tea set when infused with the spirit of Gong Fu Cha.

A Transformative Trip to China

Natasha’s passion eventually led her to China, where she immersed herself in the culture of tea at its source. There, she witnessed the flow of Gong Fu in everyday life—not just in tea ceremonies, but in hospitality, service, and respect for tradition.

“What struck me most was the way people lived with grace and detail. From the shopkeeper pressing clothes before handing them to you, to strangers stepping in to help without expecting thanks—that was Gong Fu in life. And in the tea gardens, I saw how masters honored their craft and their ancestors. Nothing was done halfway; everything was carried out with integrity.”

She was especially moved by the way skills and traditions are passed down with reverence. Watching a tea master teach his son reminded her of the deep lineage behind every cup of tea.

Tea Life Sanctuary in Curaçao

Two years ago, Natasha brought these experiences together to create Tea Life Sanctuary in Curaçao. It is a place where people can find all the teas and teaware to create their own tea moments at home or work. She offers tea tasting workshops and shows people how to use tea as a vehicle to breathe, pause and reconnect with themselves. Every detail, from the teaware to the calm setting, is designed to create space for mindfulness.

“I drink tea this way all day—from morning till night,” Natasha says with a smile. “It keeps me relaxed, focused, and often, it’s when my best ideas come.”

At the sanctuary, visitors can explore teas from around the world, learn about Gong Fu Cha, and share in Natasha’s vision of tea as both art and therapy. She encourages guests not to feel pressured to buy elaborate sets right away but to start with what they have and let the practice evolve.

A Space for Curaçao’s Community

Tea Life Sanctuary is more than Natasha’s business—it’s her gift to the island. In a world that often moves too fast, her sanctuary reminds people to slow down, breathe, and savor simple, meaningful moments.

From her grandmother’s living room in Trinidad to the tea gardens of China, Natasha has carried with her the lesson that tea is not just about taste—it’s about connection. Connection to the self, to others, and to tradition.

“Tea taught me presence,” she reflects. “It taught me the beauty of slowing down, and it showed me that even the simplest rituals can bring healing and joy.”

Tea Life Sanctuary is open in Willemstad, Curaçao, offering tea experiences, workshops, and a peaceful space for reflection and community.